Manoj Tiwary’s extortion allegation exposes the rot in Indian political ticketing. TMC’s defeat gives him cover to speak now—classic timing that undermines credibility. Yet the INR 5 crore demand, if true, reveals how cricket icons become fundraising ATMs for cash-strapped parties. Whether Tiwary was genuinely blocked or simply didn’t rank remains unclear, but politicians weaponizing athletes for bribes is indefensible.